Wired Technology

Wired technology has existed in one form or another for over 100 years (150 if the telegraph is included). Compared to its wireless counterpart, wired systems have existed for a longer period of time and in the past have been the only option for higher capacity voice and data transmission.

The use of wired connections, including fibre optic, allows for extremely high capacity transmission, in some cases reaching several hundred gigabits per second.

Wired networks and wired transmission are generally immune to bad weather as they are usually located underground. With the line located underground, the technology has traditionally been considered more secure.

However, wired communications do not come without drawbacks. The cost of installing a secure, high capacity wired network can be extremely high, especially when locating cables underground. This is one of the main disadvantages of wireline networks, and the reason they are costly to maintain. Being terrestrial, either aerial or subterranean also means that they are at risk of cable breaks due to excavation works, vehicular accidents, and even tampering.

Relocation of wired services can be costly exercises and many wired providers cannot provide Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees, introducing risk for some business critical applications and services.